this technique for the zip ties above works well from behind, too, you just slam your wrists into your butt instead of your front, but, yeah, i wouldn't try to get out of the ones the most militarized police force in the world (nypd) uses, regardless of what they use; they would beat the shit out of you and then put you in metal cuffs anyway.

I got out from them from beneath my back. Cuffed by DEA in 1980s Miami (Vice), instinctively I held my inside wrists open. That left me wiggle room. In the back of the car, they were off, from behind my back.

I would have run, but DEA warned he'd shoot if we ran. Probably was BSing, but who wants to try.